Bill Morgan, 75, of rural Mitchell, died Friday, June 9, 2017, at his home.
Mass of Christian Burial was Wednesday, June 14, at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell, with burial at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation was from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with a wake service beginning at 7 p.m.
Bill Dennis Morgan, son of William and Madeline (VanHecke) Morgan, was born June 23, 1941, at St. Joseph Hospital in Mitchell. He attended school in Letcher, graduating in 1959. As a young boy, Bill broke Shetland ponies for the priest in Letcher. Bill’s father died at an early age, so he helped his mother on the family farm. After his graduation, Bill worked at the VanLaecken Lumber Yard in Letcher. He later worked at Pepsi Cola Bottling, Montgomery Wards and Tessier’s, all in Mitchell. In 1965, Bill enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard and served there from 1966 to 1972.
He was united in marriage with Carol Stange on June 26, 1965, at St. Joseph’s Church in Wessington Springs. In the early 1980s, Bill went into partnership with Mel Goldammer, and the business was named Cut-Rate. Years later, he became sole owner of Cut-Rate, and later his son, Wes, joined the company and worked with him for 24 years. Bill was very proud of the family farm that he and Carol ran together with their son, Pat.
Bill enjoyed playing basketball in high school, spending Saturday nights dancing with Carol at Ruskin Park, hunting and attending all his kid’s activities. He willingly gave advice to the basketball officials while sitting in the front row of the Corn Palace with his wife, and enjoyed a few Coors Lights while visiting at family gatherings. He looked forward to seeing the Saturday morning coffee crew at the shop.
He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell.
Bill is survived by his eight children: Mike (Tammy) Morgan, Pat (Karla) Morgan, Wes (Teri) Morgan, and Scott (Stacy) Morgan, all of Mitchell, Ronda (Heath) Koepsell of Canova, Robin (Toby) Moody of Letcher, Raven (Jay) Ellwein of Huron, and Randi (Wyatt) Haines of Brandon; 29 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Margaret Zoss of Yankton; a brother, George (Sherry) Morgan of Mitchell; two brothers-in-law, Bob (Kay) Stange of Woonsocket, and Bill (Nancy) Stange of Mitchell; five sisters-in-law, Joyce Bowar of Lincoln, Neb., Phyllis Swenson and Lois Edwards, both of Woonsocket, Judy (Dick) McQueen of White Lake, and Ann Stange of Freeman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol on Aug. 22, 2010; parents; a grandson, Zachary Morgan; a sister, Erma Janssen; a brother, Patrick in infancy; an uncle, Francis VanHecke; his in-laws, Harry and Wilma Stange; and six brothers-in-law, John Janssen, Chuck Zoss, John Stange, Ducky Stange, Merle Edwards and Bill Bowar.